Every decade or two, the issue of immigration becomes a major public policy issue in this country. It has been and, I suspect, will continue to be an issue for decades to come. The overwhelming majority of us (or our ancestors), after all, have come from other countries - going back, in some instances, hundreds of years to at least the 15th century.
Sometimes in the mid-1990's I recall there was a poll taken in several countries in which the question was asked, "If you had the opportunity, would you ever leave your own country and go live in another?" I'm not sure who conducted the poll but I was attending grad school in London at the time and although I don't remember all the details, two answers stick in my mind even today. 91% of Americans said that there were no conditions under which they would ever leave their country. On the other hand, 48% of Britishers said if they had the chance, they would do so in a heartbeat.
A question for you on a Friday night: have you ever considered leaving the United States?
The Ugly American was a famous 1950's political novel which highlighted the arrogant behavior of this country and its inability to understand foreign cultures. Over the past many years, I must have read hundreds (if not thousands) of diaries here on Daily Kos criticizing George W. Bush and his gang for undermining this or that aspect of American life and political traditions. And reaffirming the stereotypical American described in the novel.
I myself wrote this diary last year which outlined the sins of this administration. Among some of the more unattractive aspects of American political life and culture that have come to light in numerous diaries and comments include
- Arrogance.
- Corruption.
- Hubris.
- Nationalism and parochialism.
- Incompetence.
- Erosion of civil liberties.
- Widening income and wealth inequality.
- Jingoism.
- Illegal wiretapping and domestic spying.
- Prisoner torture.
In other words, enough deviation from the norm to possibly fill an American citizen with disgust with his or her own country. And even consider leaving it.
To be sure, the United States has seen large waves of immigration from other countries throughout its history. The reasons are many and varied: war, genocide, ethnic cleansing, famine, lack of economic opportunity, religious persecution, political oppression, poverty, natural disasters, etc., etc. On the other hand, various celebrities have threatened from time to time to leave the United States if Politican X or Politician Y were ever elected President. Rarely, if ever, do they ever carry out this threat. The late Robert Altman said this before the 2000 Election
"If George Bush is elected president, I'm leaving for France," said the director, speaking from France.
A writer once wrote that the best indicator of a country's attractiveness was rather simple: were people lining up to enter it or leaving it in droves? Is it really that simple? What are the circumstances under which you would consider leaving the United States and live elsewhere? What are the most and least attractive aspects of American life? Have you noticed significant changes in our country's political culture in recent years that would compel you to leave it?
If you live in another country, indicate if you would or wouldn't leave it and the reasons for your decision. Given its limitations, the poll doesn't quite accurately divide the world's regions. So, if your country of destination is in the vicinity of one of the regions listed, elaborate in your comments.
And, don't forget to take the poll too.